Fountain carries on family racing tradition

SAULT STE. MARIE — For the last several years, Snocross racing has been 17-year-old Rachelle Fountain's life.

Though the Sault High School junior has always been around snowmobiles, with her father previously participating in several of the annual I-500 races, she only began her involvement with the sport five years ago.

"Snowmobiles have always been in my family," Fountain explained. "They did Snocross one year at the I-500. I tried it out and really liked it."

Since then, Fountain has traveled all over the midwest to Pro AM Women, Amateur 16-29 and Junior 16-17 class races. On tracks in New York, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, the teenager whizzes around oval-shaped courses — taking sharp corners and bounding through rhythm sections in excess of 30 MPH.

Though sled speed fluctuates throughout the race, the start of a Snocross event is always the fastest, Fountain explained.

"You want to be the first one to the corner or jump," she said.

Courses are different each weekend, with national races having more technical tracks.

Each season, Fountain rides in eight or so national races and around nine regional events. National races occur every other weekend, with regional competitions occurring on off weekends.

Basically, this adds up to a lot of travel time for Fountain and her family.

"It's a really long ride in a truck," Fountain said of the necessary travel to arrive at race-weekends.

The Fountains leave early on Thursday morning of race weekends, trying to arrive a day before the Friday and Saturday events. The family typically returns home by Sunday or Monday evening.

Because of this, Fountain misses quite a bit of school.

"It's hard because we're gone a lot of weekends, so I miss a lot of school," she said.

Still, it's a sacrifice she's willing to make. Between races, Fountain can be found with a group of her race friends — catching up on school work. She also uses travel time to complete assignments.

"I try to stay ahead with my work," she said.

Fountain also keeps busy outside of school and racing, working to gather the necessary funds for her expensive passion.

Because her snowmobile takes such a beating during the Snocross season, it's necessary to acquire a new sled every year.

"It's really expensive," Fountain said of the sport. "During the season the sled is rode almost every day. It's pretty beat up by the end of the season. Buying a new one is easier than buying parts."

Thankfully, Fountain's family and friends rally around the teenager — creating a support system she doesn't know what she'd do without.

Fountain's father works on her snowmobile, which ends up in the shop practically every weekend. Her mother attends Snocross events, as well as assists Fountain with necessary registration and other paperwork. Grandma handles Fountain's racing Facebook page, posting race updates and pictures online.

Friends made while racing, like members of the Petoskey family, become invaluable resources.

"We do all of our travel and racing with them," Fountain said. "They're like family to us. They help us out a lot."

Still, the dangerous aspects of racing worry some in Fountain's tight-knit circle — especially her mom.

"We've seen bad crashes and what they can do," Fountain said. "It's always in the back of her mind. (Snocross) is a pretty dangerous thing."

Recently, Fountain nearly broke her femur. Though the injury turned out to be just bad bruising, she still had to take four weeks off from racing.

Even though she had to take time off to heal from the injury, Fountain still managed to take sixth overall in her division of nationals, as well as second place at regionals and in the amateur class.

Fountain is happy with these results, admitting she didn't know what to expect because she just started racing in the national division this year.

In addition to winning, there's lots of other reasons Fountain will continue to race.

"I like the atmosphere there (at the races)," she said. "It's like a big family.

"I like the publicity. It's cool to be noticed or recognized at races.

"I'd have to say the adrenaline is my favorite part. I'm not in to team sports, so being independent is satisfying. It's just something I like to work for. Coming from a small town, it's cool to be able to say that I race pro."